Archive - July 2011

July 25, 2011

Kristen Crespo, Texas: “Fiji Humanitarian Trip”

Right after my friends and I graduated from high school in the summer of 2008, we went on a humanitarian trip to Fiji. We went with an awesome group called AYS (Alliance for Youth Service). We couldn't have been more excited to go all together, not only to the exotic island of Fiji, but also to do some good and help people who were in need. We were there for two weeks and worked every day, except Sunday, in a village called Galoa. We built bathrooms onto their homes and put in flush toilets. There were many homes in this village, and very few had flush toilets. We planned on only completing three, but we worked hard, doubled it, and did six! The Fijians worked right alongside us, and we all learned a lot.

This picture is of one of my best friends, Alyssa Denning, who is actually in the MTC preparing to go to Russia soon! She was down in one of the holes we had dug out, tying together wires to prepare it to lay cement for the septic tank. It was very hard laying cement because we could only dig so deep, then we would hit water since the water level was so high. We worked very hard every day, and it was well worth it. We got to know to the Fijians and became good friends. They got to know us and what we stood for, and we even had many of them come to church with us while we were there. That was an incredible day! We were able to have the missionaries come teach the last day in the village, and we handed out many copies of the Book of Mormon. We grew to love and still do love our great friends we made in Fiji. Not too long after we left, a couple of them were baptized! Words cannot explain our emotions when we heard that great news. Even now, three years later, we receive phone calls from our friends in Fiji. I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity I was given. It was a life-changing experience that I will never forget.

—Kristen Crespo

July 18, 2011

Judy White, Alberta: “Waiting”

This is a picture of my sister with her son's golden retriever. From the time we began our visit with my nephew, his dog seemed determined to be my sister’s best friend. He was under her feet or beside her wherever we went. The problem is that my sister isn't really too keen on dogs, so his attempts at friendship served to annoy rather than endear. When I saw them on the front steps, I couldn't resist the shot that so clearly says "friendship." I called it "Waiting" because they seem to be looking down the road waiting for someone to arrive.

—Judy White

July 11, 2011

Emily Walton, Utah: “Boys Testing Out Water Temperature”

We were on a family vacation in Waterton (Canada). We visited a small glacial lake named Cameron Lake. The beauty of this glacial basin is hard to describe. It has pristine aqua-blue waters with snow surrounding the lake even in mid July. It wasn't warm by any means. We walked out on a small pier, and my boys dared each other to test how cold the water was. My older son is dipping his finger in while his younger brother watches and waits for his reaction to see if he too wants to test the temperature. I love this photo because it's often how it is in our family—the older one tries it out and makes sure it's okay before he encourages or discourages his younger brother from trying it out.

—Emily Walton

July 5, 2011

Darrell Wyatt: "Everyone Throw Grass in the Air" Washington

My daughter, her husband, and six children were visiting us in SW Washington State from Utah. We always go for a walk with the grandkids, and I decided to take along my camera. We came to the bank of a small tributary just before it reaches the Columbia River. I thought it would be a good idea to try for a family photo, not an easy thing with six lively kids (that is probably why I like to shoot landscapes rather than "people shots" ;-). After several failed shots, Parker (center) thought something different than just a static shot would be in order. So he shouted, "OK everybody, throw grass in the air." Parker was most enthusiastic, as you can see, and wanted his grass to go the highest. My shot was made. "And a little child shall lead them."